Not Moonbounce, Rather Building- And Pedestrian-Bounce

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Not Moonbounce, Rather Building- And Pedestrian-Bounce

In late January, an Alphabet-owned Waymo self-driving car was cruising near an elementary school in Santa Monica, California, when a young child suddenly darted into the street. Waymo’s LiDAR sensors detected the student, who had just emerged from behind a parked SUV, but it was too late. Despite slamming on the brakes and slowing from 17 to six mph, the driverless car struck the child, knocking them to the pavement. Luckily, reports show that the child only suffered minor injuries, but that’s likely little comfort to parents whose children live in the growing number of cities where driverless cars operate.

In this case, the Waymo detected the child once they came into view—but what if it could have “seen” them from around the corner? That is the general idea behind new research emerging out of the University of Pennsylvania, where a team of engineers have developed a sensor system that uses radio waves to help robots detect objects (or people) hidden behind walls.

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HAM Radio Operators Bridge UP200 Communications

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HAM Radio Operators Bridge UP200 Communications

Communication is key when UP200 mushers race along a 228-mile track through the Upper Peninsula’s winter wilderness.

Their safety is in the hands of volunteers managing HAM radios to create a greater network for this weekend’s sledge dog races. About 60 operators, such as Steve Gingras, monitor about 15 road crossings across the rural U.P. He says a HAM radio hitting a repeater works best when dealing with poor cell service.

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Radio Clubs Encouraged to Plan Now for April Ham Radio Open House

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Radio Clubs Encouraged to Plan Now for April Ham Radio Open House

ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio®, is inviting radio clubs to participate in the second annual Ham Radio Open House in April. Hosting an Open House gives clubs and schools the opportunity to promote amateur radio science and technology by opening their stations to the public and showcasing their hi-tech gear and operating skills.

In addition, clubs are encouraged to set up in public places or conduct outdoor activities, such as Parks on the Air (POTA) activations or satellite operating demonstrations. The event centres around World Amateur Radio Day on Saturday, April 18, but clubs may schedule an open house at any time during the month. 

Ham Radio Open House highlights the Amateur Radio Service as a platform for developing and practising modern radio communications technology, and as a hands-on pathway into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields for the next generation. The event offers clubs the chance to reshape perceptions of amateur radio and demonstrate how it serves as a steppingstone and testbed for young people pursuing STEM education and high-tech careers. 

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